Monday, 31 May 2010

Lately I've been doing some light reading and there a few books that I have come across which can really test one's imaan(faith). Alhamdulillah, I have managed to acquire some knowledge on Islamic Jurisprudence in my second term but, I am no where near a Shariah scholar. With the knowledge that I have acquired it can be used as a guidance for my daily life. If not, I could definitely be blinded with the points made by the authors of the books I read.

These books have a different approach towards certain things. It does not criticise the Quran, but instead it tries to make the Sunna (traditions or conduct) of the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wassalam/peace and blessings be upon him) rather doubtful. I would like to include a verse from the Quran which is from the Surah al-Sajdah verse number 42 which says: "Falsehood may not enter it from the front or from the rear(any directions). It is a revelation that has been sent down from the Most Wise, the Immensely Praiseworthy." A muslim would normally believe the Sunna and hadith after the Quran.

Some Muslims would sometimes just accept what is being said to them, at times I am also guilty of doing such actions. We don't normally question the knowledgeable or religious people on certain things. We would normally say we accept the Sunna because it is one of the highest source in Islam. This argument would not be applicable towards the non-muslims because they would not be able to grasp the idea of WHY Muslims have to agree for no apparent reasons. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if a non-muslim asks something about Islam, would you as a muslim just tell the non-muslim it is like so and so because the religious or pious people say so? I'm not trying to create a doubt towards the religious or pious people, instead I think its better for us to think more and improve our reasoning method. A friend of mine said that there is a saying in Arabic which sounds like, "asking the right and accurate question makes up half of the answer". I'm still learning my arabic so I can't really verify this statement or saying so please pardon me and advise for any mistakes in my entry. When a muslim is influenced with these kind of books and find that the Sunna to be doubtful, a muslim will not be practising most of the Islamic teachings because they have lost their belief in the Sunna of the Prophet (

Salallahu Alaihi Wassalam/Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). There are also people who practices what is being said in the Quran but doesn't believe or follow the Sunna.

Some argues that the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wassalam/Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) had no role as a legislator, did not intend to create a new system of law and that his authority had nothing to do with legal. These authors sets his theory on the Prophet and the Sunna alone and ignoring the evidence of the Quran itself. These authors want to make his point that the law and the Sunna of the Prophet is outside of the sphere of religion. In short, they are saying that the Sunna was unnecessary conduct or traditions done by the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wassalam/Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) and has nothing to do with the religion from the Quran. If we were to compare the Quran and Sunna, we will definitely find that the law or instructions from the Quran will always be complemented by the Sunna wether it be about prayer, clothing and etc.

Before I proceed to the contents of these books I would like to add in what the Quran says about the role of the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wassalam/Peace and Blessings be Upon Him)in Islamic Law.

"Say: "Obey Allah and His Messenger": But if they turn away from this then know that Allah does not love those who refuse to obey Him and His Messenger." (Surah Al-Imran:32)

"And obey Allah and the Messenger, that mercy be shown to you." (Surah Al-Imran:132)

"Believers! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those invested with authority among you; and then if you were to dispute among yourselves about anything refer it to Allah and the Messenger if you indeed believe in Allah and the Last Day; that is better and more commendable in the end. (Surah Al-Nisa:59)

"He who obeys the Messenger thereby obeys Allah; as for he who turns away, We have not sent you as a keeper over them!" (Surah Al-Nisa:80)

"Those who follow the ummi(unlettered) Prophet, whom they find mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel that they have. He enjoins upon them what is good and forbids them what is evil. He makes the clean things lawful to them and prohibits all corrupt things and removes from them their burdens and the shackles that were upon them. So those who believe in him and assist him, and succour him and follow the Light which has been sent down with him, it is they who shall prosper." (Surah Al-A'raaf:157)

"We raised the Messengers earlier with Clear Signs and Divine Books, and We have sent down this Reminder upon you that you may elucidate to people the teaching that has been send down for them, and that the people may themselves reflect." (Surah al-Nahl:44) - shows the importance to elucidate the teachings not merely by word of mouth but also requred to do so by his conduct."Surely there was a good example for you in the Messenger of Allah, for all those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much." (Surah Al-Ahzab:21)"And then We set you, (O Prophet), on a clear high road in religious matters. So follow that and do not follow the desires of those who do not know." (Surah Al-Jaathiyah:18)

If one 'embraces' Islam but does not accept the life of the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wassalam/Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) as a model, then they are violating the instructions from the Quran. How can one claim to be a follower of the Quran if not believing in the Sunna of the Prophet? We also should believe in the verses if we are indeed a true believer to the Quran.

Some points have been shown that it is illogical to seperate the Sunna and the Quran. Then, these authors tries to take a tricky road by saying that the Sunna is not authenthic. It carries on till a point of saying that the Sunna actually comes from the early Scholars wanting to make their tradition as part of the religion. There are a lot of flaws in these theories and I would not be able to go into detail because it is really in depth as it takes into account the isnad (chain of narrators) and etc. Alhamdulillah, there are other books out there that have managed to prove those theories as being flawed. One of the books which was written brilliantly by M.Mustafa Al-Azami have managed to prove the theories wrong and we should follow his example or attitude to reason out.

As I mentioned before we should always know more about our own religion and understand it so we would be able to give a better answer rather than saying I do this because I am told by Mr Annonymous that I have to do so! I end this entry with another verse from the Holy Quran.

"Surely We revealed the Torah, wherein there is Guidance and Light. Thereby did Prophets -who had submitted themselves (to Allah) - judge for the Judaized folk; and so did the scholars and jurists. They judged by the Book of Allah for they had been entrusted to keep it and bear witness to it. So, do not fear human beings but fear Me, and do not barter away My signs for a trivial gain. And those who do not make their decisions in accordance with that revealed by Allah are the deniers of the truth" (Surah Al-Maaidah:44).